Hinge plate switch structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to improvements in door hinge structures equipped with means for controlling an electrical circuit. The present application discloses a pair of hingedly coupled hinge plates or leaves in which one of the hinge plates supports switch means and the other hinge plates supports an adjustably projectable abutment member adapted to engage a complementary shiftable switch controlling member projecting from the other hinge plate. In the disclosed embodiment, the adjustably projectable element comprises an electrically nonconductive generally cylindrical member adapted to be rotated for the purpose of axially shifting said member to position the exposed surface, thereof a predetermined distance from the exposed surface of the hinge plate on which said member is mounted.

United States Patent [191 Foltz [73] Assignee: Lawrence Brothers, Inc.,Sterling,

Ill.

221 Filed: Mair. 21, 1913 21 Appl.No.:343,545

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. ZOO/61.7, ZOO/61.82 [51] Int. Cl. I-I0lh 3/16 [581' Fieldof Search ZOO/61.64, 61.83, 158; 339/4; 16/128 R, DIG. l4, DIG. 23, DIG.34, DIG. 39

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,272,935 /1966 Beller etal. ZOO/61.7 3,524,960 8/1970 Lohff 200/158 UX 3,729,603 4/1973 Foltz339/4 X 2,726,405 12/1955 Smith et al.'.... ZOO/61.7 X 1,902,195 3/1933vSwahn 339/4 X 1,744,040 l/l930 Elzer 339/4 [451 Apr. 9, 1974 PrimaryExaminer-James R. Scott Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Olson, Trexler,Wolters, Bushnell & Fosse, Ltd.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to improvementsin door hinge structures equipped with means for controlling anelectrical circuit. The present application discloses a pair of hingedlycoupled hinge plates or leaves in which one of the hinge plates supportsswitch means and the other hinge plates supports an adjustablyprojectable abutment member adapted to engage a complementary shiftableswitch controlling member projecting from the other hinge plate. In thedisclosed embodiment, the adjustably projectable element comprises anelectrically nonconductive generally cylindrical member adapted to berotated for the purpose of axially shifting said member to position theexposed surface, thereof a predetermined distance from the exposedsurface of the hinge plate on which said member is mounted.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures HINGE PLATE SWITCH STRUCTURE SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION In applicants co-pending application for Letters patent, Ser.No. l75,l48, filed Aug. 26, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,603 a hingestructure is disclosed which is of the general type adapted toaccommodate the novel feature contemplated by the present invention. Inapplicants aforesaid pending application, the exposed surface of thehinge plate attached to the door directly engages a shiftable switchcontrolling element associated with the other hinge plate attached tothe door jamb. Variations in the space between the exposed surfaces ofhinge plates when in door closing position sometime occur. For example,there is considerable difference in the spacing between leaves on hingesapplied to square edged doors as compared with hinges applied tobevelled edged doors when said doors are in closed position. Under suchcircumstances, unsatisfactory functioning of the switch controlmechanism may be experienced. It is, therefore, one of the importantobjects of the present invention to provide a hinge structure of thegeneral type referred to above equipped with novel means for assuringthe proper functioning of the circuit control device despite variationsin the spacing of the exposed surfaces of the hinge plates.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates a hinge structureequipped with electrical control means of the general type referred toabove, wherein novel, axially or longitudinally abutment means isprovided in association with the hinge plate attached to the doormember.

Still more specifically, the present invention presents an improvednovel arrangement'whereby the extent of projection of a switch actuatingmember beyond the exposed surface of a hinge plate attached to a doormember may be installed and adjusted with a minimum amount of effort andskill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing and other objects andadvantages will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is afragmentary perspective view of a door and door jamb havingin association therewith a novel hinge structure of the typecontemplated by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge structure shown inFIG. I, more clearly to illustrate the electrical switch device andapplicant's novel axially adjustable generally cylindrical abutmentmeans for actuating said switch device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the hinge plates ofFIG. 2 and the elements. associated therewith as said hinge plates areapproaching each other;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 3disclosing the above-mentioned hinge plates after the adjustableabutment means carried by one of the plates has been moved intoengagement with the switch actuating projection associated with theother hinge plate;

FIG. 5 is a detailed vertical sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 55 of FIG. 2 more clearly to ating abutment means, a C-ringnormally attached to v the abutment member being shown in detachedrelation thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingmore in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designatesimilar parts through the various views it will be observed that a hingestructure representative of one embodiment of the present invention isdesignated generally by the numeral 10, FIG. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, thehinge structure 10 is illustrated in operative association with a doormember 12 and a door jamb 14. The hinge structure 10 comprises two hingeplates or leaves 16 and 18. The hinge plate l6'is provided with aplurality of screw accommodating apertures 20 to facilitate attachmentthereof the vertical edge of the door member 12. Likewise, a hinge plate18 is provided with a plurality of screw accommodating apertures 22 tofacilitate attachment of the hinge plate to the door jamb 14.

An electrical circuit control device or switch mechanism 24 is suitablyattached to the rear or unexposed side of the hinge plate 18 as clearlyshown in FIG. 2 to 4 inclusive. The circuit control device 24, beingsecured to the side of the hinge leaf attached directly to the door jambis lodged within a complementary recess in said jamb. While the controlmechanism 24 as disclosed herein is commonly marketed under thetrademark Micro-Switch, obviously the present invention is not limitedto any specific design of switch mechanism but contemplates the use ofvarious available electrical control devices which may be operated as anincident to the shifting of a shiftable control element such as theelement designated by the numeral 26. The control element or button 26may be shifted from the projected position shown in FIG. 3 to theposition shown in FIG. 4 for actuating the switch mechanism 24. Suitableterminal members 28 are adapted to accommodate electrical conductors(not shown). It will be noted that the shiftable switch control orcontact member 26 is biased to the left as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4through the agency of a leaf spring 30. Thus in order to shift theelement 26 from its position of maximum projection beyond the exposedsurface of the hinge plate 18 to its retracted position shown in FIG. 4the force of the leaf spring 30 must be overcome.

As the door member'l2 is moved toward its closed position, a generallycylindrical abutment member 32 is eventually moved into engagement withthe shiftable element 26 as clearly shown in FIG. 4. Particularattention is directed to the fact that the abutment member 32 may beaxially adjusted within aperture 34 provided in the hinge plate 16 FIG.3 and 4. The abutment member 32 may be formed from suitable electricalnonconducting material as for example nylon. Material such as nylonaffords the resiliency required to maintain the abutment 32 in a fixedposition of adjustment. Obviously other suitable material may be used. Atight fit of the abutment 32 within the aperture 34 of the hinge plate16 serves to secure the abutment in any desired position of projectionbeyond the exposed surface of the hinge plate 16. A suitable spannerwrench or tool 36 as illustrated in FIG. 7 may be employed to rotate andthereby adjustably control the extent of projection of the exposedextremity of the abutment member 32 beyond the exposed surface of thehinge plate 16. To limit the extent to which the abutment member 32 maybe projected beyond the exposed surface of the hinge plate 16, asuitable C-ring 38 may be attached to the shank of the abutment 32 asclearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The C-ring 38 serves to prevent theinstaller or anyone who may tamper with the abutment 32 from completelybacking out said abutment. A head 38a at the opposite extremity preventsthe abutment from being urged clear through the hinge plate 16. Ininstances where desirable, the abutment accommodating aperture 34 of thehinge plate 16 may be threaded so as to accommodate a smooth unthreadedshank of the abutment 32. In such instances, the thread convolutions inthe hinge plate 16 will cause corresponding thread convolutions to beindented or impressed within the softer plastic abutment so as to assurea verytight fit which can only be overcome by the application of asuitable turning tool such as the spanner tool 36.

It is important that the degree'of projection of the abutment member 32beyond the exposed surface of the hinge plate 16 be such that it willproperly engage and shift the switch actuating abutment or member 26. Byemploying applicants novel axially adjustable abutment member 32,eachdoor installation may be adjusted so as to assure the proper functioningof the switch mechanism as an incident to the engagement of the abutment32 with the switch control member 26 is assured. In FIG. 6 a slightlymodified switch mechanism designated generally by the numeral 24a isdisclosed. This illustration is incorporated in the drawing merely toillustrate that various modifications of switch mechanisms may beemployed to function in cooperation with the abutment 32. A projectingbutton or switch control element 26a of the switch mechanism 24a isadapted to be engaged by the exposed extremity of the axially adjustableabutment member 32.

While for purposes of disclosure, certain specific structural featuresrepresentative of the present inventener elements such as screw membersfor attachment to the verticl edge of a swingable door member andineluding first aperture means and the second being apertured toaccommodate fastener elements such as screw members for attachment in afixed position upon a vertical door frame and including second aperturemeans generally aligned with said first aperture means as said hingeplates relatively approach one another, electrical circuit control meansmounted on said second hinge plate including a control memberprojectable through said second aperture means and from the exposedsurface of said second hinge plate and shiftable transversely of saidsecond hinge plate, means for connecting said control means with anelectrical conductor, electrically non-conductive abutment meansadjustably mounted in said first aperture means and projectable from theexposed surface of said first hinge plate in position to engage theexposed surface of the control member projecting from said second hingeplate as an incident to the approach thereto of said first hinge plate,and means for biasing said control member toward the projecting positionthereof.

2. An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 1,wherein the abutment means adjustably projectable from the exposedsurface of said first hinge plate comprises a rotatable, longitudinallyadjustable substantially cylindrical element mounted within said firstaperture means in saidfirst hinge plate.

3. An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 1,wherein said abutment means adjustably projectable from the exposedsurface of said first hinge plate comprises a rotatably adjustableimpressionable plastic member having the general physicalcharacteristics of nylon.

4. An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 1,wherein the abutment means adjustably projectable from the exposedsurface of said first hinge plate comprises a generally cylindricalplastic member with thread convolutions impressed in the peripheralsurface thereof by internal convolutions defining the said firstaperture in said first hinge plate.

5. An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 1,wherein means is provided for limiting the extent to which said abutmentmeans may be adjustably projected outwardly from said first hinge plate.

6. An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 5',wherein said means for limiting the extent of outward projection of saidabutment is in the nature of a C-ring attached thereto.

7. An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 1,wherein means is provided for limiting the extent to which the abutmentmay be moved axi-' ally inwardly with respect to an associated hingeplate.

8. An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 7,wherein said means for limiting the inward axial movement of saidabutment comprises a head section.

1. An electrical circuit control hinge device including first and secondpivotally connected hinge plates, the first of said plates beingapertured to accommodate fastener elements such as screw members forattachment to the vertical edge of a swingable door member and includingfirst aperture means and the second being apertured to accommodatefastener elements such as screw members for attachment in a fixedposition upon a vertical door frame and including second aperture meansgenerally aligned with said first aperture means as said hinge platesrelatively approach one another, electrical circuit control meansmounted on said second hinge plate including a control memberprojectable through said second aperture means and from the exposedsurface of said second hinge plate and shiftable transversely of saidsecond hinge plate, means for connecting said control means with anelectrical conductor, electrically non-conductive abutment meansadjustably mounted in said first aperture means and projectable from theexposed surface of said first hinge plate in position to engage theexposed surface of the control member projecting from said second hingeplate as an incident to the approach thereto of said first hinge plate,and means for biasing said control member toward the projecting positionthereof.
 2. An electrIcal circuit control hinge device as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the abutment means adjustably projectable from theexposed surface of said first hinge plate comprises a rotatable,longitudinally adjustable substantially cylindrical element mountedwithin said first aperture means in said first hinge plate.
 3. Anelectrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid abutment means adjustably projectable from the exposed surface ofsaid first hinge plate comprises a rotatably adjustable impressionableplastic member having the general physical characteristics of nylon. 4.An electrical circuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 1,wherein the abutment means adjustably projectable from the exposedsurface of said first hinge plate comprises a generally cylindricalplastic member with thread convolutions impressed in the peripheralsurface thereof by internal convolutions defining the said firstaperture in said first hinge plate.
 5. An electrical circuit controlhinge device as set forth in claim 1, wherein means is provided forlimiting the extent to which said abutment means may be adjustablyprojected outwardly from said first hinge plate.
 6. An electricalcircuit control hinge device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said meansfor limiting the extent of outward projection of said abutment is in thenature of a C-ring attached thereto.
 7. An electrical circuit controlhinge device as set forth in claim 1, wherein means is provided forlimiting the extent to which the abutment may be moved axially inwardlywith respect to an associated hinge plate.
 8. An electrical circuitcontrol hinge device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means forlimiting the inward axial movement of said abutment comprises a headsection.